Vero Beach police sergeant has special surprise for Monday's memorial

VERO BEACH — When Vero Beach Police Sgt. Terrance Nelson steps behind the microphone and keyboard for Monday's Law Enforcement Memorial Service for fallen officers, he said he'll be inspired by a woman he was never able to meet.

Nelson, whose passion outside of work is gospel music, will perform a song he wrote, "Your Last Day," at Monday's event in front of the Indian River County Courthouse, 2000 16th Ave., Vero Beach. Nelson put together the lyrics after the March 6 shooting death of Brevard County Sheriff's Deputy Barbara Pill.

"It was a senseless murder," said Nelson, a 22-year police veteran. "What touched me was it happened in the middle of the day."

The normalcy of the day and the surroundings for Pill before her death struck Nelson to complete the lyrics, he said.

"If I knew today was my last day, what would I do that's not the same?" Nelson wrote. "Would I sing just a little louder, stand a little prouder as I call God's name?"

Pill, 52, was the community policing officer in Micco for many years. She stopped a Ford sports-utility vehicle connected to a robbery at a Melbourne motel. As she approached the SUV, the driver opened fire, striking the deputy multiple times, sheriff's officials said. Brandon Lee Bradley, 22, and Andria Michelle Kerchner, 19, each are accused of murder and other charges. They both have pleaded not guilty.

Nelson said he and Indian River County Sheriff's Deputy Dave Bailey take turns performing at the annual service in front of the courthouse. Nelson's future in law enforcement is short, since he is eyeing retirement. But he said he would like a long future in gospel music, which he'd like to perform full time.

Last year, five law enforcement officers were killed in the state. Another deputy, Clay County Deputy David White, was shot and killed earlier this year.

The last law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Indian River was Deputy Richard Raczkoski on Sept. 23, 1986.